Method of playing a modified blackjack type game

ABSTRACT

A casino game similar to a blackjack game is disclosed and comprises: the game allows a Player that has a hand with a point value totaling hard thirty-one to either win or push; the Player and the Dealer add the numerical value of their initial two-cards and compare them against each other; the Player hopes to be dealt a “Natural”; if the Dealer is dealt a “Natural” the game stops, and the Hands are compared; if the Player is not dealt a “Natural,” then the Player plays to the second best hand which is a Hard thirty-one, and if not, then the Player plays to twenty-one which is the third best hand; a hand with a value between hard twenty-two and hard thirty is frozen from receiving additional hit cards.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/725265, filed Mar. 17, 2007, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wagering game similar to a well known casino game called blackjack and, more particularly, to a method of playing a modified Blackjack game to thirty-one that may be played as a casino table game or as a video game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blackjack is the most popular table game offered in most casinos today. Both novice and regular players alike understand blackjack procedures and concepts. Additionally, the game allows players to use basic strategies that provide some degree of player control by reducing the games edge allowing for heightened excitement.

Blackjack requires the use of at least one standard deck of fifty-two cards. These cards each have a numerical or letter value, and a suit associated with them. A standard deck consists of four sets (of thirteen cards each) numbered as follows: A (ace), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J (jack), Q (queen), and K (king). There are four cards of each value, one of each “suit”: spades, diamonds, clubs, and hearts. For the purposes of Blackjack, the suit is irrelevant, and only the value of the card is considered. Again, for the purposes of Blackjack, the value of the cards is computed as follows: for cards valued two through nine, they are given the value shown on the card; tens, jacks, queens, and kings are each valued as ten points; and aces may be valued as one point, or as eleven points, at the player's discretion. Blackjack may be played with only a single deck of cards or multiple decks.

A Blackjack game consists of a Dealer and one or more players. The game is scored by comparing the combined value of each player's cards against the combined value of the dealer's hand to determine who wins or who loses. Each player's hand is compared individually against the dealer's hand. Players do not compete against each other.

In Blackjack the dealer will begin by dealing one card to the player, and continue to deal one card to each player in a clockwise pattern until each player has received a starting hand. Each player begins with two cards, usually face up, and the dealer will have two cards, usually one is face up and one face down.

After the player totals the value of their cards, they may choose to “Stand,” which means to keeps their two cards that they were initially dealt. The player may also “Hit,” which means that the player receives another card from the deck. The value of this new card is added to the total of the player's hand. The player may then choose to stand or hit again. However, if the sum of the player's cards exceeds a total value of 21, then the player is said to bust and loses their bet.

While several new blackjack games have been developed what remains needed is a new blackjack game that provides more excitement for the Players that's not found in a traditional blackjack game. Prior Art suffers from certain circumstances, in that once the player exceeds twenty-one they have said to have bust and the Player loses their wager. The present invention solves this by allowing a player that Hits their hands and ends up with a hand value totaling thirty-one to either win or push.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a blackjack game so that when a Players hand exceeds twenty-one and has a point value of thirty-one it may either win or push rather than lose.

It is an object of the invention to provide a blackjack game so that a hand will be frozen from receiving any additional hit cards when it has a hard value between twenty-two and thirty.

It is an object of the invention to provide a blackjack game where the best hand is a Natural; the second best hand is four or more card thirty-one; and the third best hand is twenty-one.

It is furthermore an object of the invention to provide a blackjack game with a “Natural” hand that has a point value totaling thirty-one, which is accomplished by modifying the point value of a single card so that when added to another card of standard value will total thirty-one.

It is an object of the invention to provide an optional side wager and is only offered to Players, who took a hit card or cards and ended up with a hand that has a point value between hard twenty-two and thirty.

These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent in the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a casino blackjack game that generates increased excitement from the players and the crowd. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a blackjack game follows all the basic rules of the game of Blackjack. The game is played with a standard deck of fifty-two cards and no Joker.

In the event a players hand value exceeds twenty-one they have said to have bust. The present invention solves this by allowing a Players hand that totals a hard thirty-one to either win or push. A hand with a four or more card hard thirty-one is the second best hand. Hands with a hard value between twenty-two and thirty are frozen from receiving any additional hit cards.

The present invention may further accomplish this by altering the value of a Natural to have a point value of thirty-one. This may be achieved on the initial two card deal by assigning an additional value to a single card so that when added to the standard value of another card will have a combined total of thirty-one. A two card thirty-one is called a “Natural” and beats all other hands, the second best hand is a hard thirty-one and the third best hand is twenty-one. Both the Player and the “House” position hands are frozen from taking additional Hit cards when their total hand value is between twenty-two and thirty. When exceeding twenty-one, the Player will win on hard thirty-one and will lose on any other total, no matter the value of the House positions hand. Thirty-one is the highest number achievable in the game so the Players Hand that totals between twenty-two and thirty is not said to have busted or gone over. Below are several ways that the invention can achieve a Natural two-card thirty-one by modifying a single card.

Optionally, an example of modifying the point value of a standard card would be to replace the Ace card with a modified ace card. The Ace Card will have a word or mark added to it to distinguish it from a standard ace card. All cards have face value. Face cards have a value of 10-Points. The modified Ace Card has a standard value of one or eleven except when dealt with a 10-Point card on the initial two-card deal then it has a value of twenty-one. The Players will have the option to act on their hand provided the House position is not dealt a two-card thirty-one.

Optionally, an example of modifying the point value of a standard card would be to replace all 10-point cards with a modified 10-point card. The 10-point Cards will have a word or mark added to it to distinguish it from a standard 10-point card. All cards have face value. Face cards have a value of 10-Points except when dealt with an Ace card on the initial two-card deal then it has a value of twenty. The Players will have the option to act on their hand provided the House position is not dealt a two-card thirty-one.

The present invention may further be played with a side bet option that allows a Player to place up an additional wager during the play of the game to again try to thirty-one.

Optionally, a “Side Bet” may or may not be included in the game. The Side bet may be offered when a Players hand totals between twenty-two and thirty. Each Player placing a Side wager will add the value of the Dealers 2nd card to their hands total to again try to total thirty-one. Their Original wager loses. The Dealers 2nd card acts as a community card for the players. The House position will not receive their 2nd card until each Player has acted on their hand. The new Hand total will be rounded down a tenth, for example if the Player has a hand with a value of twenty-six and the Dealers 2nd card is a ten-point card, the Players hand totals thirty-six however it is round down to total twenty-six. When the Players hand exceeds twenty-one the Player hand loses when their total is between twenty-two and thirty and wins when their hand totals thirty-one.

The invention provided may optionally be played with the players having the option to occupy the Dealer position.

While the described embodiment of present invention uses a conventional black table and corresponding cards, it is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention that many modifications and changes to the game could also be fashioned either in part or whole electronically or rendered in part or whole in computer software and hardware without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims presented herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an of a blackjack table;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cal blackjack ace card; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an one set of a standard deck of playing cards.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 which is a plan view of the blackjack table 10 it contains a dealer tray 20, a betting area 30 for the players wagers and in the event the side bet 40 option is utilized then a corresponding betting area 30 is added to the layout.

The present invention follows all the basic rules of the game of Blackjack. The game is played with a standard deck of fifty-two cards 200. All cards have face value. Face cards have a value of 10-Points. Ace cards have a value of one or eleven.

Thirty-one is the highest number achievable in the game. It can be achieved by hitting to thirty-one while trying to avoid landing on a hand that totals between hard twenty-two and thirty. A two card Natural is the top ranked hand, the second best hand is a Hard thirty-one, and the third best hand is twenty-one. Both the Player and the Dealers hand are frozen from taking additional Hit cards when their hand value is between twenty-two and thirty. When exceeding twenty-one, the Player will win on Hard thirty-one and will lose on any other total, no matter the value of the Dealer hand.

An example when the Player hand exceeds twenty-one and wins their original wager, the Players hand consists of (ten card 160, duce card 80, hits a nine card 150 and hits again and gets a king card 190 for a total of thirty-one).

An example when the Player hand exceeds twenty-one and loses their original wager, the Player hand consists of (five card 110, seven card 130, hits a three card 90, and hits again and gets a queen card 180 for a total of twenty-five).

The Players will have the option to act on their hand provided the Dealer is not dealt a “Natural.” The game is played on a standard Blackjack table 10 and layout. Players place their wagers in designated betting area 30. The Dealer deals two cards to the Player and one card the Dealer. All cards dealt face up. The Dealer will then deal the Dealers 2nd card face down. Players will signal to the dealer by hand gesture, which are consistent with industry standard to describe Hit, Stand, etc.

After all players have made their best hands by indicating to the casino dealer that they do not wish to have additional cards dealt to them, the Dealer will turn over the Dealers down card and complete the Dealers hand. The numerical value of the Players hand is compared against the Dealers hand to determine the outcome of the wager, then and all wagers are settled, and the cards are collected.

FIG. 2 which is a plan view of a modified card 55. The invention may be played with a Natural having a point value of thirty-one. A two card thirty-one is called a Natural. It can be achieved on the initial two-card deal by opting to replace a card from the standard deck of fifty-two cards 200 deck and replacing it with a modified card 55 so that its value along with a standard card will total thirty-one.

Optionally, this can be achieved in several different ways, an example of modifying the point value of a standard card would be to replace the Ace card 70 with a modified ace card 50. The Ace Card 70 will have a word or mark added to it to distinguish it from a standard ace card 70. All cards have face value. Face cards have a value of 10-Points. The modified ace card 50 has a standard value of one or eleven except when dealt with a 10-Point card on the initial two-card deal then it has a value of twenty-one. The combined value of a modified ace card 50 and a 10 point card dealt on the initial two card deal is thirty-one.

Optionally, a second example of modifying the point value of a standard card would be to replace all 10-point cards with a modified ten point card 60. The 10-point Cards will have a word or mark added to it to distinguish it from a standard 10-point card. All cards have face value. Ace cards have a value of one or eleven. Face cards have a value of 10-Points except when dealt with an Ace card 70 on the initial two-card deal then they have a value of twenty. The combined value of a modified 10-point card and an Ace card 70 dealt on the initial two card deal will total thirty-one.

FIG. 3 which is a plan view of the standard playing cards

The present invention may further be played with a side bet 40 option that allows a Player to place up an additional wager during the play of the game to again try to thirty-one.

Optionally, the present invention may or may included a Side bet 40 to the game that is offered to the Players when the Dealer is not dealt a Natural, and the Players has a hand total between hard twenty-two and hard thirty. The Side bet 40 is an additional wager that a Player may place up during the play of the game. Each Player placing a Side wager will add the value of the Dealers 2nd card to their hands total to again try to total thirty-one. The Players Original wager loses. The Dealers 2nd card acts as a community card for the players. The Player will win their Side bet 40 if their new hand totals thirty-one and loses on any other total.

The new Hand total will be rounded down a tenth, for example if the Player has a hand with a value of twenty-six and the Dealers 2nd card is a jack card 170, then the Players new hand will total 36, however it is round down to total twenty-six.

An example when the Player exceeds twenty-one, and loses their original wager but places up a side wager that totals thirty-one and wins: the Players hands consists of a two card, a three card 90, then hits and receives an eight card 140, hits again and receives a two card, hits again and receives a ten card 160, for a total of 25 and then adds the Dealers 2nd card which in this case is a six card 120 for a new total of thirty-one.

An example when the Player exceeds twenty-one, and loses their original wager but places up a side wager but totals twenty-four and loses: the Players hand consists of a five card 110, a four card 100, then hits and receives a six card 120, hits again and receives a jack card 170, for a total of twenty-five and then adds the Dealers 2nd card which in this case is a nine card 150 for a total of thirty-four that is rounded down for a new value of twenty-four.

Although the described embodiment of present invention uses a conventional blackjack table 10 and corresponding standard deck of fifty-two cards 200, it is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention that the game could also be fashioned either in part or whole electronically or rendered in part or whole in computer software and hardware.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims. 

1. A method of playing a modified blackjack type game for playing to thirty-one, comprising: means for playing the game.
 2. The method of playing a modified blackjack type game in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for playing the game comprises a standard deck of fifty-two cards.
 3. A method of playing a modified blackjack type game for playing to thirty-one, comprising: a standard deck of fifty-two cards, for playing the game.
 4. The method of playing a modified blackjack type game as recited in claim 3, further comprising: a modified card, for having a natural with a total point value of thirty-one that may be achieved on the initial two card deal by assigning an additional point value to a single card so that when added to the standard value of another card will have a combined total of thirty-one.
 5. The method of playing a modified blackjack type game as recited in claim 3, further comprising: a side bet, for allowing an additional wager that a player may make while playing the game, the “side bet” is optional and may or may not be included in the game, the side bet is offered when the players hand totals between twenty-two and thirty, each player placing a side wager will add the value of the dealers 2nd card to their hands total to again try to total thirty-one, the dealers 2nd card acts as a community card for the players.
 6. The method of playing a modified blackjack type game as recited in claim 4, further comprising: a side bet, for allowing an additional wager that a player may make while playing the game, the “side bet” is optional and may or may not be included in the game, the side bet is offered when the players hand totals between twenty-two and thirty, each player placing a side wager will add the value of the dealers 2nd card to their hands total to again try to total thirty-one, the dealers 2nd card acts as a community card for the players.
 7. A method of playing a modified blackjack type game for playing to thirty-one, comprising: a standard deck of fifty-two cards, for playing the game; a modified card, for having a natural with a total point value of thirty-one that may be achieved on the initial two card deal by assigning an additional point value to a single card so that when added to the standard value of another card will have a combined total of thirty-one; and a side bet, for allowing an additional wager that a player may make while playing the game, the “side bet” is optional and may or may not be included in the game, the side bet is offered when the players hand totals between twenty-two and thirty, each player placing a side wager will add the value of the dealers 2nd card to their hands total to again try to total thirty-one, the dealers 2nd card acts as a community card for the players. 